Yes, Steiner (part of BDT Group) made a statement, not only in words, defining this as the “ultimate long-range riflescope”, but with hard facts, introducing the M7Xi tactical riflescope at the Enforce Tac and IWA OutdoorClassics 2018.
This is the traditional version of the extremely interesting M7Xi IFS 4-28×56 – IFS stands for “Intelligent Firing Solution”, essentially the very same optical and mechanical package of the M7Xi but with a highly advanced, integrated digital engine and head up display in the eyepiece that all4shooters covered in our first look here.
The Steiner M7Xi riflescope is built around a 7x zoom ratio optical scheme, allowing it the impressive magnification range it is capable of, 4x -28x. At the same time, the optics features a large field of view, 9 – 1,42 m at 100m at minimum and maximum magnification. Many technical and build solutions are the same of the M5Xi, an optical aiming instrument that has been widely adopted by military and LE Special Forces groups in over 30 countries scattered around the globe.
All4shooters live fire tested the Steiner M7Xi 4-28x5: here's the video of the test
In a nutshell, the Steiner M7Xi is waterproof to a depth of 20 m (66 feet), shockproof up to 900 G, operates from -40°C to +64°C, and offers a rugged monolithic build from aircraft grade alloy with a 34mm tube. The body is available in black or Coyote brown.
The low profile turrets offer 260 cm / 26,0 mils total of adjustment range elevation and ± 60 cm / 6,0 mils windage, with 0,1 mrad / 1cm clicks; the illuminated reticle is placed on the first focal plane and is available in four designs: MSR, MSR2, G2B and TReMoR3. The battery is a standard CR2032.
All4shooters received a sample of the Steiner M7Xi riflescope in matte black, mounted on a fine Haenel RS8 bolt action rifle chambered in .308 Winchester.
We live fire tested the sniper rifle/optic combination in the at the Schiess-Leistungs-Gruppe (SLG) shooting range in Niederweimar, using premium RWS Target Elite plus Match ammo loaded with 168 gr. HPBT bullets. The riflescope was mounted using Spuhr mounts.
First impact with the controls of the M7Xi riflescope is very positive. The turrets are indeed lower profile compared to previous models, and provide excellent feedback, both audible and by feel, even through shooting gloves.
Clicks are sharp and well defined. The reticle brightness knob is rather small but still usable; the torque difference between the brightness knob and the larger, coaxial parallax adjustment knob is perfect, making it really difficult to disturb either setting when adjusting each.
The shooter view of the Steiner M7Xi turrets presents all the adjustments in a clear and easy to read format.
Magnification ring is smooth; the whole adjustment range is available in the usual 180° rotation. The odd 7x zoom ratio allows to extend flexibility to the riflescope, lowering the magnification to 4x and then all the way to 28x, for truly long range accuracy shot placement and precise range estimation when using the reticle.
We were surprised and impressed with the quality of the glass; sharp, definite and so, so clear. Contrast is excellent, and the images are very bright.
Image quality is outstanding; however, it is difficult to easily describe in words. There is no one single individual trait of the image viewed through the scope that is amazing, rather than the excellent, almost perfect, balance of it that pleasantly surprises the user.
To wrap up, the M7Xi 4-28x56 variable magnification tactical riflescope is indeed Steiner’s ultimate long-range riflescope, with an MRSP below the 3000 Euro mark – sure, not outright affordable, but very justified by the specs and performance of the product.
Further information about the Steiner M7Xi 4-28x56 variable magnification tactical riflescope can be found on the website of Steiner Optik.
